Stone called Woodman & Weld and asked for Bill Eggers, the managing partner.
“Bill Eggers.”
“Bill, it’s Stone.”
“Morning, Stone. You going to trial tomorrow?”
“They’ve just settled for a million, plus my fee. The check is coming to you this afternoon. Will you let the client know? I’d call her myself, but it’s a very bad day.”
“Sure, I’ll call her. I think it’s a hell of a settlement. What’s wrong?”
“Alma was attacked on the street last night, after leaving work; she died this morning.”
“Oh, Jesus, Stone, I’m so sorry. I know how close you were.”
“Yeah, I’m pretty shaken. I think I’m just going to shut down the phones and take the day.”
“You do that. You want me to find somebody to help you out with the work? I can speak to our personnel director.”
“Thanks, I’d appreciate that,” Stone said. “But don’t send anybody until tomorrow.”
“Fine. Again, I’m sorry, Stone. You take it easy.”
“Thanks, Bill.” Stone hung up. He should have been elated at the settlement and a rich fee, but he felt nothing but depression. Two women he knew, one of whom he had been very close to, had been murdered within twelve hours of each other. He switched on his answering machine and recorded a new message. “This is Stone Barrington. I won’t be taking any calls today, but if you’ll leave a message, I’ll return your call tomorrow.”
He trudged back upstairs, switched off his phone, and fell into bed, exhausted.
5
S TONE GOT UP AS DARKNESS WAS FALLING. He got into some khaki trousers, a shirt, and some moccasins, then went to the kitchenette in the master suite and made himself a cup of tea, with a large dollop of honey. He took the mug down one floor to his study and sat in one of a pair of wing chairs before the window overlooking the garden. The doorbell rang; Stone picked up the phone beside his chair. “Yes?”
“It’s Dino.”
“Come on in; I’m in the study.” He pressed the button on the phone that opened the front door.
Dino walked into the study and threw his coat on the sofa.
“Hi. Want a cup of tea?”
“I want a cup of scotch,” Dino replied.
“Help yourself.”
Dino went to the little wet bar concealed behind a panel and fixed himself a scotch on the rocks, then came and sat down in the chair next to Stone’s. “How about some lights?” Dino said.
“I like it this way at dusk,” Stone replied. “Leave it for a few minutes.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Like somebody worked me over with a baseball bat.”
“You went to the hospital?”
“Yeah; it was Alma. Sorry, I forgot to call and tell you.”
“A citizen found her handbag in a wastebasket a couple of blocks away. There was over a hundred bucks in it, plus her credit cards.”
“Nothing at all taken?”